Orioles take road show north of the border

The Orioles open their three-game series here with their third straight day game.

The O's are coming off a big series win over the Yankees in the Bronx and hope they can continue that at Rogers Centre, where they are just 7-33 in their past 40 games.

Some pregame fodder for you:

-- The Orioles added left-handed reliever Zach Phillips before the game today and designated right-handed Jason Berken to make room for him on the 40-man roster. Phillips was already in the Orioles' September roster plans, but they need the extra left-handed arm. Brian Matusz has pitched in three straight games and Randy Wolf threw 3 1/3 innings in yesterday's 8-3 win over the Yankees. Read more on Phillips and Berken HERE.

-- Right-hander Chris Tillman, who came out of Sunday's game after three innings with right elbow stiffness, was unable to get an MRI today because it's Labor Day (or Labour Day here in Canada), but the team is trying to schedule one for Tuesday.

-- Right-hander Jason Hammel will throw a bullpen session Tuesday. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to wait until Hammel's 'pen to decide whether he will be activated to start Thursday against the Yankees. I spoke briefly with Hammel today and he said he's feeling no pain in the knee and he's ready to rejoin the team.

-- Left-hander Tommy Hunter was recalled from Double-A Bowie and will work out of the bullpen. It will be interesting to see how Hunter does in that role. Many believe his future is as a reliever.

-- Zach Britton is also with the team -- he arrived around 2 a.m. -- but he likely won't be activated until tomorrow because he can't formally rejoin the team until Norfolk's season is over. The Tides play their last game of the season today. He's slated to start tomorrow against the Jays.

-- Speaking of Norfolk, Jake Arrieta will start this afternoon in the Tides' season finale. He's slated to go five to six innings or 80 pitches, whichever comes first, in order to shorten him up for a possible relief role with the Orioles.